Leaky Faucet Repair: How to Fix a Dripping Faucet [2026]
Fix a leaky or dripping faucet yourself in 30 minutes. Step-by-step repair for all faucet types — compression, cartridge, ball, and ceramic disc.
By Askento Editorial Team · 5 min read · Apr 1, 2026
![Leaky Faucet Repair: How to Fix a Dripping Faucet [2026]](/images/photo-1607472586893-edb57bdc0e39.jpg)
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A faucet that drips once per second wastes around 3,000 gallons of water per year. Most leaky faucets — whether dripping from the spout, leaking at the base, or seeping around the handle — are caused by a worn washer or O-ring. That's a $2 part that takes 30 minutes to replace. This guide covers dripping faucet repair for all four common faucet types.
Before You Start
Turn off the water supply: Under the sink, turn the shut-off valves clockwise until they stop. Turn on the faucet to release any remaining pressure and confirm the water is off.
Plug the drain: Put a rag or stopper in the drain so small parts don't fall in and disappear.
Take photos as you go: Before removing anything, photograph the assembly so you can reassemble it correctly.
Identify Your Faucet Type
The fix varies depending on what kind of faucet you have:
Ball faucet — a single handle that moves in a sphere. Common in kitchens. Has a ball mechanism inside.
Cartridge faucet — single or double handle, smooth operation. Very common. The cartridge is a self-contained cylinder that controls water flow.
Ceramic disc faucet — single lever over a wide cylindrical body. Rarely needs repair.
Compression faucet — two handles that tighten to stop water. Older style. Most commonly cause drips.
Fixing a Compression Faucet (Most Common Drip Cause)
- Remove the decorative cap on the handle (pry it off with a flathead screwdriver)
- Unscrew the handle screw and pull off the handle
- Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the packing nut
- Pull out the stem — at the bottom you'll find a rubber washer held by a brass screw
- Replace the washer with a new one (take the old one to the hardware store to match)
- If the seat (the part the washer presses against) feels rough, smooth it with a seat wrench or replace it
- Reassemble in reverse order
Fixing a Cartridge Faucet
- Remove the handle (usually one screw under a decorative cap)
- You'll see a plastic or metal cartridge held in place by a retaining clip or nut
- Pull the cartridge straight up — use pliers if needed, but be careful not to damage it
- Take the old cartridge to the hardware store — exact match matters for cartridges
- Install the new cartridge in the same orientation
- Reassemble and test
Get the fix before you call a plumber.
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Fixing a Ball Faucet
Ball faucets have more parts (a cam, ball, seats, springs, and O-rings), making them more complex. A ball faucet repair kit for your specific brand ($10–$20) includes all the parts and instructions. The kit approach is much easier than buying parts individually.
Drip From the Base vs. From the Spout
- Drip from the spout — internal mechanism issue (washers, cartridge, ball)
- Leak around the base — worn O-rings on the faucet body. Remove the faucet spout, replace the O-rings, and lubricate with plumber's grease before reassembling.
When to Call a Plumber
- The shut-off valve under the sink won't close (it needs replacement itself)
- The faucet body is cracked
- You can't identify what type of faucet you have and the repair kit approach isn't working
For a genuinely old or badly corroded faucet, replacing the whole unit (starting around $30–$80) is sometimes easier than repairing it.
Faucet Repair Kit Product Table
The right kit gets the job done in one trip. Most faucet repairs need just one of these:
| Product | Best for | Price range | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danco 88693 Universal O-Ring Kit | Ball and cartridge faucets — 36-piece assortment of O-rings, washers, springs, and seats | $8–$12 | Shop Danco 88693 kit |
| Danco 10678 Complete Faucet Repair Kit | Delta, Moen, Price Pfister ball faucets — seats, springs, O-rings, cam included | $10–$14 | Shop Danco 10678 kit |
| Moen 1224 Cartridge Replacement | Moen single-handle cartridge faucets — OEM part, guaranteed fit | $15–$25 | Shop Moen 1224 cartridge |
| RIDGID 56838 Basin Wrench | Reaching mounting nuts in tight under-sink spaces | $20–$28 | Shop RIDGID basin wrench |
| Harvey's Silicone Plumber's Grease | Lubricating O-rings and rubber parts on reassembly; NSF-certified, safe for potable water | $5–$9 | Shop Harvey's plumber's grease |
Tip
Kitchen faucet replacement is sometimes easier than repairing a badly corroded ball faucet. Moen Adler kitchen faucets start around $60–$80 and include a lifetime warranty that covers parts. Prime members get free same-day or next-day delivery — start a 30-day free Prime trial if you need parts fast.
For a deeper look at kits and brand-specific recommendations, see Best Faucet Repair Kits.
Related Articles
- How to fix a leaky kitchen faucet — brand-specific cartridge and kitchen faucet repair
- How to replace a kitchen faucet — when repair isn't worth it
- Best faucet repair kits — brand-specific kit recommendations
- How to fix a dripping showerhead
- How to unclog a bathroom sink
- How to fix a running toilet
- Best caulk & tub sealants — for resealing around the fixture base once the drip is fixed
- Best mold and mildew removers — for the damp patch a long-running leak leaves behind
- Best replacement showerheads under $50
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you fix a dripping faucet?
- Start by identifying your faucet type: compression (two handles that tighten), cartridge (smooth single or double handle), ball (single handle that moves in a sphere), or ceramic disc (wide single lever). Each type has a different fix — but in all cases, the cause is a worn internal part. Compression faucets need a new seat washer ($1–$2); cartridge faucets need a replacement cartridge ($15–$30); ball faucets need a repair kit ($10–$20). The whole repair takes 20–45 minutes.
- What causes a faucet to keep dripping?
- A persistently dripping faucet is almost always caused by a worn internal part pressing against the water seat: a rubber seat washer or O-ring (compression faucets), a worn cartridge (cartridge faucets), or worn seats and springs (ball faucets). Tightening the handle doesn't fix it — the worn part needs replacement. If a newly repaired faucet drips again within weeks, the seat itself may be rough and needs resurfacing or replacement.
- How much does faucet leak repair cost to DIY?
- A DIY faucet leak repair costs $8–$30 in parts, versus $160–$370 for a plumber's service call. A compression faucet washer costs $1–$2. A replacement cartridge runs $15–$30 (must match your brand). A ball faucet repair kit with all parts is $10–$20. Most repairs need only a screwdriver and adjustable wrench — no plumber needed.
- Is a leaky faucet an emergency?
- A dripping faucet from the spout is not an emergency, but it is worth fixing promptly — a faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons a year. A faucet that leaks at the base, under the sink, or from the shut-off valve is more urgent and can cause water damage if ignored.
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